unresponsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unresponsive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not reacting or responding to stimuli, communication, or requests. Example: "The customer service team was unresponsive to my inquiries, leaving me frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By 6.30pm the Ativan had started to do its job, and according to Hill's lawyer Brian Kammer it had rendered him unresponsive, though Kammer noted his client still sounded anxious.

The Guardian

He was cleared to go home, but the next afternoon was found in a friend's apartment on a couch unresponsive and when paramedics arrived he was dead.

The Guardian

It has been noted that the players themselves seem infantilised within this mob-handed structure, unresponsive in adversity, sporting instincts oddly blunted.

The Guardian - Sport

At least one man was found unresponsive in a Homan Square "interview room" and later pronounced dead.

The Guardian

The Chicago Tribune reported that the 44-year old was found "unresponsive inside an interview room", and pronounced dead.

The Guardian

If news breaks while www.abc.net.au/news is unresponsive, we will bring it to you via our social media channels.

The Guardian

In response NGOs say that journalists are frustratingly unresponsive to major crises, such as the Ebola epidemic and present an over-simplified view of long-running conflicts, or ignore them completely.

The Guardian

In at least one waterboarding session, Abu Zubaydah 'became completely unresponsive, with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth'... Abu Zubaydah remained unresponsive until medical intervention, when he regained consciousness and 'expelled copious amounts of liquid'".

The Guardian

At the moment, almost all outside investment flows directly to the oil industry, based safely in the deserts of southern Algeria.Set in their waysIt seems unlikely that such an entrenched and unresponsive ruling class can manage a clean and open privatisation, a cornerstone of the planned reforms.

The Economist

Go too far, and the system may become entirely unresponsive.

The Economist

The SNA is ratcheting up the fight further, now accusing the administration of being unresponsive to its request for meetings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a technical system or device, use "unresponsive" to indicate a failure to react to inputs or commands. For instance, "The server became unresponsive due to a sudden surge in traffic."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "unresponsive" with "irresponsible". "Unresponsive" means not reacting or answering, while "irresponsible" means lacking a sense of responsibility. For example, saying "The government was unresponsive to the needs of the people" is different from saying "The government was irresponsible in its handling of the crisis".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unresponsive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing something or someone that does not respond or react to stimuli. As Ludwig AI indicates, this can range from physical reactions to emotional or communicative responses, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unresponsive" functions primarily as an adjective used to describe a lack of reaction or response. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently employed across a range of contexts, with higher prevalence in news, science, and formal business settings. The phrase has several semantically related alternatives such as "non-responsive", "unreactive", and "apathetic". When using "unresponsive", it's essential to ensure clarity and avoid confusion with words like "irresponsible". According to Ludwig, the examples show its diverse applicability, from describing medical conditions to technical malfunctions and bureaucratic inefficiencies, making it a versatile term in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-responsive

A direct synonym, indicating a lack of response or reaction. It's nearly interchangeable with "unresponsive".

uncommunicative

Emphasizes the lack of willingness to communicate or share information.

unreactive

Focuses on the lack of chemical or physical reaction, but can also apply metaphorically to a lack of response.

insensitive

Implies a lack of emotional or physical sensitivity, leading to a lack of reaction.

apathetic

Highlights a lack of interest or concern, resulting in a lack of response or action.

indifferent

Similar to apathetic, suggesting a lack of concern or interest.

motionless

Describes a state of being without movement, often implying a lack of response to external stimuli.

silent

Focuses on the absence of sound or speech, often indicating a lack of response.

inert

Suggests a lack of ability or willingness to move or act; implies inactivity.

out of it

An informal phrase suggesting a state of being disconnected or unaware, leading to a lack of response.

FAQs

How can I use "unresponsive" in a sentence?

You can use "unresponsive" to describe something or someone that does not react or respond. For example, "The patient was unresponsive after the medication" or "The website became unresponsive due to high traffic".

What's the difference between "unresponsive" and "non-responsive"?

"Unresponsive" and "non-responsive" are often used interchangeably. However, "unresponsive" may sometimes imply a temporary state, while "non-responsive" might suggest a more inherent characteristic.

What can I say instead of "unresponsive" to describe a lack of communication?

Alternatives to "unresponsive" in the context of communication include "uncommunicative", "silent", or "reticent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "unresponsive" in a formal context?

It's appropriate to use "unresponsive" in formal contexts when describing a system, organization, or individual that fails to react or respond to stimuli, requests, or demands. For example, "The bureaucratic process was unresponsive to the urgent needs of the citizens".